The Butler weekly times., 1887-02-09
pErE'S HOSS.

"Yank'sa comm. pap" and Toby
waved long, lank arm toward the tall.
blue hills, round which wound the yell
low mountain road. where the shallow
stream, known as "Pottses Fork. cross
ed and recrossed like the unwinding of
giant snake.
Mr.. Potts shook his head portentous-
ly. s,roking bis matted gray beard with
fingers yellowed and hardened by years
of unremitting toll.
wal. l dom reckin thars anything
fur 'em to take; mos everything's done
ben ct up BY the boys that stopped
hyar last" Potts paused abruptly,
troubled BY sudden thought; Toby
sided up to the old man, muttering A.
most iusudibly:
"Pets's hoss. pap! yer dom think
they'd take Rod'rick. do yee"
'They sharn't! not II hev ter lose
every drap o my blood, they shxrn't
take thet boss!" cried the old man vehe-
mently.
''Msbbe they cyarn't find him. pap
-Roxy's TUX him ter tho mountin'
Eetherin' sumac, an Of she don't como
out TOO soon they'll never know no,hin'
bout it." said Toby. reassuringly.
Tho soldiers were now in full sight
their bayonets glittering in the sun.
their blue coats darkening tho yellow
road and Frightening the sombre pines,
and the thud of their travel-worn feet
beat like distant drum.
As clouds of dust rise up at their ap-
prOaching footsteps swaying girlish
form is coming down tho mountain.
singing an old sweet hymn of freedom,
in her arms are branches OF sumac turn.
ing brown. and yellow. and scarlet in
the mellow autumn sun; at her side .
asDdeg dark bay horse, sleek and
glossy as the pride of an Arabs heart,
follows closely. unresisting the bride
swung carelessly over her wrist. Toby's
heart jumps in his throat and all the
color fades from his face, leaving il
quite white, save the tan-colored freck.
les that cover his thin cheeks.
The father and son wave their hands
in unintelligible sIgus-Roxy looks and
listens. and. suddenly understanding.
springs back into the neighborinp
thicket Too late! one of the blue coat
espies her and leaps nimbly after her.
Roxy is crouching close in the shad-
ow of bending pine-tree and Roder-
ick's eyes shine like stars behind his
green prison. "A fine horse and u finer
girlw shouts the soldier, grasping
Roxy's plump arm
Let me- go'' she scfeams; 'let me
60. say!'
Tho Others, laughing and shouting.
scramble up the rocky bank. eager for
an adventure. They have pulled the
reluctant girl from her hiding. place,
and one boldly seizes Roderick's bride.
The brave horse plants his delicate
hoofs in the mans chest and sends HIM
rolling down the hill. others rush a,
him. and. painting with rage and fright
he tries in vain to dash past them. bu,
they arc too many for him. and while
some. moro cowardly than the rest, look
nom behind the trees At this strange
battle. others surround him on all sides,
and he stands trembling with excite
ment and pain a. they fasten the bi,
firmly on his sensitive mouth.
Soldiers, you darn't take tho hossr
cries Abraham Potts Quiver OF en-
treaty in his voice.
That war my Pcte's hoss-he raised
him from colt aud never lowed no
body 70 tech him but hisseln O. no
soldiers. take anything I've got bu,
don't tech that hoss!'
III he's Peters horse let him tax,
care OF him now" laughed the soldie,
carelessly. a. he tightsns his grip OF
the bride.
Roxy had thrown one arm round the
fathers bent form. and stood shelter
ing him, IS it were. from the ieers O
the Federals Now Abe Potts bent for
ward. drawing himself away from hi.
daughters clinging grasp.
"Pete's done dead, men," muttere,
the old man in hoarse, choked voice
'he's layin' now back thar benin th,
house. with the weepin' willer he plant
ed a-shadin' his grave. Rod'rick tha
brung i'm home ter dier be caspe,
brokenly. Soldiers, he wuz ali l he'd
My Pete-so brave, and sich q fine tie
ger; when he rid away with the Var
ginny Grays my heart swelled till
wuz nigh Dustin; but l gin him to M,
country. an thet's all thet is left O. hin